Fact 13: Distinguishing from Ulcerative Colitis
At first glance, many may assume that microscopic colitis and ulcerative colitis (UC) are related due to the shared word “colitis”. However, this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. The two conditions, while both affecting the colon, have distinct characteristics that set them apart. One significant difference lies in the inflammation site. Microscopic colitis involves inflammation in the colon’s innermost lining, while UC typically impacts the entire thickness of the colon wall. This distinction plays a vital role in both diagnosis and treatment.
While both conditions can cause diarrhea, UC often leads to bloody stools, a symptom not typical for microscopic colitis. Additionally, UC might come with other systemic symptoms, like fevers or joint pain, which aren’t commonly seen in microscopic colitis patients.
Though both conditions necessitate a biopsy for definitive diagnosis, the visible changes in UC are typically more evident during a colonoscopy. In contrast, microscopic colitis often appears normal upon visual inspection, with the microscopic abnormalities revealing themselves only under a microscope.
UC, being a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), often requires more aggressive treatment, sometimes even surgery. On the other hand, microscopic colitis can often be managed with lifestyle changes and specific medications, with surgery being a rare consideration.(13)
